IslandAffair

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Handsome.”
    The short-sleeved, black silk T-shirt outlined every inch of
Robin’s chest and his tight jeans might as well have been painted on. There
were ragged holes ripped in the denim in strategic places. It was just the sort
of outfit he would never have worn at home lest he gave himself away. He almost
hadn’t worn it tonight. One glance, one word from this man and he forgot all
his reservations.
    “Uh… Thank you…was that Gaelic?”
    “Yes, but don’t be too impressed, those are just about the
only words I know. And I was taught them by an American friend to pick up guys.
Did they work?”
    Robin rolled his eyes and chuckled. “How’s your head?”
    John ran a hand through his strawberry-blond hair. “The
doctor said I’d be fine after a night in bed…”
    John’s eyes again drifted over his body in a slow, teasing
perusal and Rob’s voice quavered in reaction. “Bet you he also said no
alcohol.”
    “What can I say? I don’t follow orders very well.”
    His nipples tightened when John’s gaze lingered there,
pressing against the front of the silk shirt. What was it about this man
that made Rob want to do anything if he would just touch him? A warm,
ocean-scented breeze blew softly through the open front of the bar and caressed
his heated skin. Every cell in Robin’s body reached toward John, and he felt
himself leaning closer. Wondering what it would feel like to have John’s lips
on his, his arms around him. Wondering if he would… “Kiss me.” Rob pressed his
lips together and winced, Ah shit! Did I say that out loud? A blush
heated his cheeks as he watched a grin form on John’s face, his eyes twinkling
with amusement. Yep, I did.
    “Well then. It appears I owe the man who sold me this
aftershave an apology. It really does make me irresistible. And here I thought
he was comin’ on to me.”
    As John stepped closer to him, Rob caught scent of the
aftershave in question, a light, sandalwood fragrance. It smelled expensive.
“I, uh…didn’t…”
    John pressed his finger lightly to his mouth, halting his
words, and whispered in that deliciously husky Scottish accent, “Oh no, you
don’t get to take it back. But I think I should tell you, lad, that I’m not
that kind of guy.” He smiled slowly, “I don’t put out on the first date.”
    Robin moistened suddenly dry lips, the tip of his tongue
brushing John’s finger. Heat flared in John’s eyes and he shivered. His grin
slid from amused to rueful. “But…if you do that again, I might be tempted.”
    He stepped away from Robin with visible reluctance and
turned to order as the bartender set Rob’s fresh drink down, giving Robin time
to regain his composure. Or try to anyway. John certainly didn’t look as if he
was any the worse for wear from this afternoon’s events except for the bruised
bump on his forehead. Robin looked him over unobtrusively. The strawberry-blond
hair was damp and mussed as though John had just finger combed it and his
square jaw was clean-shaven. He was wearing faded blue jeans and another
Hawaiian shirt. The shirt was a little more subdued than this afternoon’s, in
dusky blues and soft green. The image didn’t fit with expensive aftershave.
Robin’s usual inhibitions overcome by whiskey, he decided to satisfy his curiosity.
    “What do you do?”
    John turned back to him, one golden eyebrow crooked in
question. “Do?”
    “Yes. I mean here you are staying in this resort…and believe
me, I know how expensive it is. You have bodyguards…and yet you look…” Robin
waved a hand at his scruffy attire. John turned to pay for his bottled beer and
for a moment Rob didn’t think he was going to answer him. When the other man
looked at him he saw the evasiveness in his eyes.
    “I’m between projects at the moment. I’m…getting away from
it all.” His mouth curved as though at some secret joke. He tipped his bottle
toward Robin and then lifted it to his lips and took a long swallow.
    Rob frowned. “And when you aren’t between projects?”
    “I work in an accounting firm, for my father. Nothing
exciting.” John put his bottle down and moved closer, again surrounding him
with his heat and masculine scent. “What about you, Robin, what do you do when
you’re not rescuin’ drowning men?” It was an obvious way to change the subject
but when Robin looked into his warm eyes he decided to let himself be diverted.
    “I teach kids to swim. I’m a coach in a small town